FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. HOW DO I REGISTER FOR A CLASS?

• Payment options
• Purchasing memberships and classes
• Pro-ration policy

2. WHAT IS CRAFT FOR CREDIT ?

• How do I register?
• What are the enrollment requirements, deadlines, and late fees?
• How many credits can I earn if I complete a class?
• What is a Certificate of Residence?
• Who must submit a Certificate of Residence?
• Why Must I Submit A Certificate of Residence?
• How Do I Get A Certificate of Residence?

3. WHAT IS THE ARTS CENTER'S WITHDRAWAL/REFUND POLICY?

• The Arts Center classes procedure
• Craft For Credit classes procedure

4.  WHAT IS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY?

• Two forms, one for children and one for adults
• The Arts Center requirement

1. REGISTRATION POLICIES

The Arts Center Classes

• Payment for all Arts Center classes may be sent directly to The Arts Center or charged by phone with Visa or MasterCard.  We must receive your payment before class begins.
• If you are purchasing an Arts Center membership in addition to a class, please mail your membership information and payment separately to The Arts Center.
• None of our classes or camps can be pro-rated and seats cannot be reserved without payment seven (7) days in advance. Minimum enrollments are required to run a class.
• There are no drop-in registrations as of October 1, 2006.

2. CRAFT FOR CREDIT CLASSES

What is Craft For Credit?

The Arts Center, in cooperation with Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC), presents the Craft for Credit Program, where you can study the applied arts and earn college credit. Students electing the Craft For Credit studio program may choose to receive a Certificate of Completion to pursue a Liberal Arts degree with an artistic concentration in clay, metal or fibers. HVCC students may use the credit courses as an elective. These classes are usually 2 credits each.

Note: Even if you don’t want credit for a Craft For Credit class you take at The Arts Center, you must still submit a Residency Form. Please see below.

Craft For Credit Registration:

• The deadline to register for Craft for Credit classes is close to the start date of the class. Please call for more information on specific dates. Once you miss a registration deadline:
  • A late fee of $60.00 will then be charged.

• All paperwork and tuition, including the required Certificate of Residency, must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on a specific date in order to register.
• The Arts Center will take your registration by phone or mail and submit it to HVCC. Your social security number is necessary for registration purposes only.

What is a Certificate of Residence?

• It is an official form issued by the county in which you live that proves that you reside there, and allows HVCC to charge your county for part of your tuition costs.
• The original copy must be submitted to HVCC with your payment in order to receive the lower tuition rate.
• Certificates of Residency must be obtained within a 60 day period of the start date of your class. They are valid for a period of one year from that date.

Who Must Submit A Certificate of Residence?

• Any person wishing to take a Craft For Credit class through HVCC at The Arts Center.
• Saratoga County residents should call The Arts Center for special registration instructions.
• Note: For out-of-state residents, the Certificate of Residence does not apply. Contact HVCC for more information.

Why Must I Submit A Certificate of Residence?

Without a Certificate of Residence you must pay a higher tuition rate. Tuition without a Certificate of Residence is currently $672.00 for a 2 credit-hour class ($336.00 per credit hour, not including studio or activity fees, which are easily viewed at www.hvcc.edu).

How Do I Get A Certificate of Residence?

Procedures for obtaining a Certificate of Residency may vary by county.

• Please call your county treasurer’s office or city/town clerk to obtain the notarized form.
• In order for the applicant (student) to have their signature notarized, they must be 18 years of age.  Otherwise, a parent or guardian will need to have their signature notarized on behalf of the applicant.
• The basic requirement is that you must prove that you have been a resident of New York State for at least one year and of your county for at least six months.
• Acceptable documents to be used as proof include

·         Driver’s license with an issue date earlier than one year from the day of application

·         Prior year’s income tax returns.

·         School grades from at least one year ago (calendar year NOT school year)

·         Dated mail such as a bank statement or utility bill that was received at least one year ago.

3. WITHDRAWAL/REFUND POLICIES

All classes:

• If a class is canceled by the Arts Center, you may transfer to another class or request a full refund. Refund checks take 4-6 weeks to process. 
• If you paid by credit card, your account will be credited.
• There will be a $20 charge per returned check. The Arts Center is not responsible for classes missed due to illness or other commitments of students.

 If you withdraw from a non-credit bearing class:

• Up to the third day prior to the start date of a class, your tuition (less a $25 service charge) will be retained in your residual account to be applied towards future classes. 
• Three (3) days prior to the start date of a class, no refunds are offered.
• Sorry, material fees and memberships are not refundable, nor are AM-PM Care fees.

Craft for Credit Classes withdrawal/refund policy:

If you withdraw from a Craft For Credit class:

You will be refunded per HVCC policy. Please note: You must submit your withdrawal directly to the HVCC Registrar’s office in writing. Non-attendance, simply informing the instructor of withdrawal, or stopping payment on a check used for tuition does not constitute official withdrawal and will not change tuition liability.

·        The day that notification is received is the effective date for refund calculation.

·        Refunds are based on the official starting date of the HVCC semester, not the student’s actual class attendance.

·        Craft for Credit Students should allow 2-3 weeks for refund claims to be mailed.

For more information on Craft for Credit classes please log on to HVCC’s website at www.hvcc.edu.

 4.  Release From Liability Policy

All class participants will be presented with a Release From Liability form requiring signature, agreeing to release The Arts Center from liability (or acknowledging refusal to sign the form).

Forms will be kept on file for 7 years. 

There are two (2) types of forms, one for minor children and one for all other classes that are not part of a camp or children’s class. Here are examples of the forms and who would receive each for signature:

·         Children’s and Vacation Arts Programs Release From Liability form is one that includes the following components: Rules of Behavior, Release From Liability, Permission to Go Outside, and Photography Permission, for a child, teen or a Tween participating in any Camp or Children’s or Teen's class

·         Release From Liability form is for any participant that is enrolled in any adult classes